Well, that was fun. 2020 hit us with everything it had, but we've made it through to the other side. Cheers to a prosperous 2021 that barrels right out of the gate with a whopping 10-game NBA slate. It's kind of a sports overload today, but we deserve it!

Today's NBA Matchups

Grizzlies @ Hornets (-4), O/U 218.5, 7:00 PM ET

Memphis lost Ja Morant on Monday and Grayson Allen on Tuesday, they just want to get through tonight's meeting with Charlotte's #10 defense healthy.

Notable Injuries: Morant, Allen, and De'Anthony Melton will miss this game. 

Celtics (-9) @ Pistons, O/U 215 7:00 PM ET

Boston's offense is flowing right now, a trend that should continue with two games against the 0-4 Pistons this weekend. Detroit has allowed 125+ in two of the last three.

Notable Injuries: Blake Griffin (concussion) is out tonight, while Jahlil Okafor (ankle) returns for Detroit.

Heat @ Mavericks (-1.5), O/U 222.5 7:00 PM ET

Dallas had a 50-point lead at the half last Sunday. Miami suffered a 47-point loss to the Bucks this week. This one can go a multitude of ways.

Notable Injuries: Jimmy Butler (ankle) is expected to return for Miami after missing the last two games.

Hawks @ Nets (-6.5), O/U 245 7:30 PM ET

This one looks like the slate buster, as it's the highest betting total of the season so far. They didn't disappoint in a 145-141 Brooklyn win when the teams met up on Wednesday.

Notable Injuries: Rajon Rondo (knee) is out tonight while Trae Young will play through a calf injury.

Bulls @ Bucks (-14.5), O/U 232.5 8:00 PM ET

We've got 🕯️Blowout Potential🕯️ when the Bucks host Chicago as -14.5 favorites. The Bulls are on the back to back after a fast paced 133-130 win over the Wizards yesterday.

Notable Injuries: Lauri Markkanen (calf) is out Friday while Wendell Carter, Jr. left the previous game with a hip injury.

Wizards @ Timberwolves (-1), O/U 233 8:00 PM ET

Washington's defense is bad enough (26th), but now they're in the back-to-back after allowing 58 points in the paint to the Bulls yesterday. The T'Wolves have had the last two nights off after a trip to the West Coast.

Notable Injuries: Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) is out indefinitely while Josh Okogie (hamstring) is out tonight as well. Russell Westbrook has also been added as a GTD on the back to back.

Lakers (-6.5) @ Spurs, O/U 231 8:00 PM ET

These two teams met up on Wednesday in a 121-107 Lakers win. Gregg Popovich was ejected in that game, allowing Becky Hammon to become the first woman to be the head coach in an NBA game.

Notable Injuries: Lebron James (ankle) remains on the injury report. Lamarcus Aldridge (knee) sat out the last game, and Derrick White is expected to make his season debut.

Suns @ Nuggets (-4.5), O/U 224.5 9:00 PM ET

Denver has dropped to 1-3, having allowed 120+ in two of their three defeats. Phoenix would seem to be a team to target, but they make the trip to the Colorado altitude on the back to back after beating Utah 106-95 last night.

Notable Injuries: Jamal Murray (elbow) is expected to return after missing the last game with an elbow ailment.

Clippers (-3.5) @ Jazz, O/U 222 9:00 PM ET

The Clippers have lost five straight in Salt Lake City, but get the Jazz on the back-to-back after Utah managed just 95 points last night in a loss to the Suns.

Notable Injuries: Reports are that Michael Porter, Jr. has entered COVID protocols.

Trail Blazers (-4) @ Warriors, O/U 232.5 10:30 PM ET

Golden State is an underdog tonight in their home opener, after starting the season 2-2 on the road. Carmelo Anthony made his season debut for Portland on Wednesday, and Draymond Green is expected to do the same for GSW tonight.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Damian Lillard DK $9.8k | FD $9.6k

6X should be a good floor for Oakland native Damian Lillard, who has 39, 31, and 61 real points in his last three games vs. Golden State.

Jrue Holiday DK $6.6k | FD $6.6k

It's a potential blowout game with the Bucks nearly a 15-point favorite over the Bulls, but Jrue Holiday should still be able to get his. Chicago is on the b2b, and have allowed three 50+ fp nights to PG already this year.

Raul Neto DK $3.4k | FD $4.5k

That's an incredible price for a guy who has gone for 30+ fp in two of the last three, and should see a minutes boost with Washington on the b2b.

Devonte Graham DK $6.6k | FD $6.1k

Caris Levert had his 61 fp night against Memphis, who has allowed at least 44fp to the position in 4 of the last 5. Even Jeff Teague had 27fp in 22 minutes Wednesday vs. the banged up Grizzlies backcourt. That bodes well for Devonte Graham to finally get his 2020/21 breakout game.

Goran Dragic DK $6| FD $6.1k

It's a slight price drop for Goran Dragic with Jimmy Butler back in the lineup, but the Heat PG still had 11+ shots and an 8 apg average in the two games Butler did play to start the year.

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

John Collins DK $7.2 k | FD $7k

That's still not a horrible price for John Collins, who torched the Nets for 30 points and 10 rebounds in his highest minute (31) and shot (20) outputs of the season so far.

Thaddeus Young DK $3.5k | FD $3.7k

Thaddeus Young put up a 15/3/6 line last game. Granted it was against Washington, but it was also Young's season debut and he should get plenty of usage tonight with Lauri Markkanen out.

Will Barton $5.5k | FD $5k

The matchup wouldn't normally be there against the slowest pace and #1 adjusted defensive efficiency of Phoenix, but the Suns could easily come out flat tonight traveling to Colorado on the b2b. Will Barton moves into the starting SF slot for Michael Porter.

Brandon Clarke $5.1k | FD $4.8k

Brandon Clarke has seen a nice usage boost since the Morant injury, taking 11 and 13 shots the last two games while grabbing 7 rebounds in each. Clarke put up an 18/5/3 line with 3 blocks in his last game vs. Charlotte.

Josh Jackson DK $5.2k | FD $4.8k

Josh Jackson has launched the last two games, hoisting 19 and 14 shots. Granted that came against Atlanta and Golden State, but the Pistons forward should continue to put up the rock with Blake Griffin in concussion protocol.

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Jarrett Allen DK $5.8k | FD $5.6k

Allen had 15 points and 13 boards Wednesday against Atlanta, his third straight game with 13+.

Naz Reid DK $5.2k | FD $4.7k

Washington allowed 58 points in the paint to Chicago yesterday and now faces Minnesota on the back to back. Naz Reid has been disappointing, but he's also faced Utah, the Lakers, and Clippers in the last three games.

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You can follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.

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